Maria Amann reads the Declaration of Independence with Joshua Canary at a celebration of independence at the Stillwater Block House Saturday June 30, 2012 (Jeff Couch / The Record)

STILLWATER -- It might not have been Independence Day, but the 13th Regiment First Company of Albany County made sure residents were aware of the sacrifices made during the American Revolution.

Re-enactors decked out in full colonial garb educated not only just children but also adults on what is was like to live in a colony under British control before Americans broke free and declared their country a group of 13 sovereign states.

David Corliss, a physical therapist who acted as the regiment's blacksmith, said he has been involved in the re-enactment since 2007. It's important for this type of demonstration, Corliss said, as some people don't know the entire story of the American Revolution, such as that the revolution was not the first times Americans had taken arms against the British and how the declaration lists 27 grievances against King George III.

"There's so much more to it that it takes a long time to study to really understand the politics of the time," Corliss said.

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The event takes place in front of a Blockhouse on the Hudson River waterfront with a set up trying to match what life would look like during colonial times. Corliss said there was a serious focus on homemaking skills and also how people were self-sufficient since there was no grocery store or even a hardware store, which is what Corliss said a blacksmith represented.

The re-enactment group started 11 years ago as Town Historian Linda Palmieri was looking for some re-enactors to help out. Phil Colarusso, who is acting as Commander Thomas Woodward who led the 13th Regiment Militia of Albany County 4th Company, said they were able to get people from all over the Capital District to come and participate in the demonstrations.

"It's about the history and making it come alive, and that's just what we do here," Colarusso said. "The kids actually partake in the events here. They see things and smell things. They have a really good time and that's how we get paid"

There is a lot of research that goes into putting on the re-enactment as Colarsso said they had to look at how some camps were set up and also what type of clothing was worn. Chip Perry, of the Allies of Oquaga, which is a group of historians portraying the six tribes of the Iroquois, said he makes sure to have three sources confirm something before he cites it.

"I do 15 hours of research for every hour we're at an event," Perry said.

Corliss said he does extensive research on the internet, through reading books and even by visiting the New York State Museum to research facts.

One re-enactor has had the privilege of reading off the Declaration of Independence for the past two years. Maria Amann said more people should read the document as she said people can understand the sacrifices made.

"They risked their lives to write and sign it," Amann said of the signers of the declaration. "It is a privilege to read it."

"The demonstration is an educational one, at the end of the day," Palmieri said all that matters at the end of the day is that the children learned something.

"If one kid picks up one thing from this then I'm happy," Palmieri said. "It's something with visuals and smells and it gets their curiosities going and gives kids pride in their community before they leave."